Leica R 100mm Macro

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Archive 2008 · Leica R 100mm Macro

weekh
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p.1 #1 · Leica R 100mm Macro

The Leica R 100mm macro is regarded as the KING of all macro lenses. With the recent interest generated from the CV125, one may wanna consider the Leica instead since the price is almost the same. The CV hovers around $1000 - $1200 while the Leica can bought for around $1200.
Both are cheaper than the ZF 100 brand new ($1500) or used.

Leica 100mm + 5D

This image is copyrighted by the owner

The lens is sharp. Bokeh is nice. So far I've not detected any CA.
Only complaint is that the lens does not go to 1:1.

Edited by weekh on Aug 30, 2008 at 06:01 AM GMT

Edited by weekh on Aug 30, 2008 at 06:04 AM GMT

Edited by weekh on Aug 30, 2008 at 06:06 AM GMT

Edited on Aug 30, 2008 at 06:06 AM

Aug 29, 2008 at 09:00 AM

jaapv
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p.1 #2 · Leica R 100mm Macro

Only complaint is that the lens does not go to 1:1.

That is - if you do not use the dedicated 1:1 adapter.
If you don't have it, in my experience the 2x apo-extender works just as well.

Edited on Aug 29, 2008 at 11:50 AM

Aug 29, 2008 at 11:48 AM

phuang3
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p.1 #3 · Leica R 100mm Macro

From my experience, the 2X APO extender will lose 2 stops which is more likely than a 1:1 adapter. The following shot was taken with 1:1 adapter + 25mm extension tube. (looks like 2:1 or more) With those accessories, the contrast is lower a bit but has very good resolution.

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Without any accessory.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

1:2

Edited by phuang3 on Aug 29, 2008 at 09:52 PM GMT

Edited on Aug 30, 2008 at 02:52 AM

Aug 30, 2008 at 12:21 AM

netexpress
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p.1 #4 · Leica R 100mm Macro

Weekh, excellent shots as always! Really enjoy your posts!

The Leica 1:1 adapter shows no loss in optical quality from my experience. I agree the Leica 100 macro with their 1:1 is second to none based on the lenses I've tested. But I have not tested the CV Lanther... yet. I'm interested to try it at some point. The CV Lanther offers auto-aperture on EOS among others. While the Leica 100 macro is only auto-aperture on an R* series Leica bodies (which I have but I prefer my EOS and Nikon bodies). Most of us don't care about auto-focus in a 100mm macro but auto-aperture can save some fussing about which with creepy crawling things which can cost you some shots. But I usually do the shy, moving life forms at 180-200 anyway.

Really nice shoots also phuang3 - it looks so tasty!

Aug 30, 2008 at 12:42 AM

weekh
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p.1 #5 · Leica R 100mm Macro

Using the extender or 1:1 adapter on the Leica lens will mean frequent removing the Leica-EOS adapter. My experiences tell me that frequent removing the Leica-EOS adapter will loosen it and cannot be properly tightened back subsequently.

Aug 30, 2008 at 06:00 AM

SJMD
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p.1 #6 · Leica R 100mm Macro

The shots truly appear great, I only hate I do not have that lens.

Aug 30, 2008 at 02:51 PM

PSquared63
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p.1 #7 · Leica R 100mm Macro

weekh wrote:
Using the extender or 1:1 adapter on the Leica lens will mean frequent removing the Leica-EOS adapter. My experiences tell me that frequent removing the Leica-EOS adapter will loosen it and cannot be properly tightened back subsequently.

Actually, the 1:1 adapter for the Leica 100/2.8 is a diopter mounted on the front of the lens, so there is no need to take the R-EOS adapter off to put it on.

Aug 30, 2008 at 03:03 PM

PSquared63
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p.1 #8 · Leica R 100mm Macro

netexpress wrote:

Really nice shoots also phuang3 - it looks so tasty!

I agree they are great pictures, but I prefer this type of food

(R 100/2.8 on DMR)

This image is copyrighted by the owner

Aug 30, 2008 at 03:08 PM

AGeoJO
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p.1 #9 · Leica R 100mm Macro

weekh wrote:
The Leica R 100mm macro is regarded as the KING of all macro lenses. With the recent interest generated from the CV125, one may wanna consider the Leica instead since the price is almost the same. The CV hovers around $1000 - $1200 while the Leica can bought for around $1200.
Both are cheaper than the ZF 100 brand new ($1500) or used.

Yes, at $1,550.00 in the US the ZF is indeed more expensive than both the CV 125 and a used Leica 100 but the price is for a brand new ZF with warranty (not that something major could happen to a MF lens but just in case). The CV has been discontinued and hard to find, the Leica is still available brand new for over $4,000.00. Plus, at f/2.0 the ZF is faster than both.

Great images from both you and phuang3, BTW!

Edited on Aug 30, 2008 at 03:11 PM

Aug 30, 2008 at 03:09 PM

weekh
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p.1 #10 · Leica R 100mm Macro

PSquared63 wrote:

Actually, the 1:1 adapter for the Leica 100/2.8 is a diopter mounted on the front of the lens, so there is no need to take the R-EOS adapter off to put it on.

That's good news!
What's the model for the 1:1 adapter?

Aug 30, 2008 at 03:18 PM

Steve Spencer
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p.1 #11 · Leica R 100mm Macro

Hi,

It is called the elpro 1:2-1:1. Here is the link to the description of it on the Leica site:

http://en.leica-camera.com/photography/r_system/accessories/lens_accessories/close-up_accessories/3831.html

Edited on Aug 30, 2008 at 07:34 PM

Aug 30, 2008 at 07:32 PM

phuang3
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p.1 #12 · Leica R 100mm Macro

Elpro 1:1 attachment is a must buy for 100/2.8 APO. I feel almost no difference in image quality with or without it. The 25mm extenstion tube, however, will reduce the contrast.

Aug 31, 2008 at 12:33 AM

wkhc168
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p.1 #13 · Leica R 100mm Macro

I heard so many great reviews of this lens and I was hoping to get my hands on one with a dented hood but it still went for over $1100. Too much for my budget so I went for a Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 instead. I know it is not in the same league with the 100 macro but just wondering if anyone has used it and would comment on the experience?

Oct 17, 2008 at 03:29 AM

telyt
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p.1 #14 · Leica R 100mm Macro

wkhc168 wrote:... I went for a Macro-Elmarit-R 60mm f/2.8 ... wondering if anyone has used it and would comment on the experience?

For a 1970 design it's an amazing performer. By current standards it's quite good, I prefer its richer color saturation, better flare resistance and smoother bokeh to the comparable manual-focus micro-Nikkors I've used. I have not made a direct pixel-peeping comparison between the Macro-Elmarit-R and the micro-Nikkors but the Leica's detail rendition has never disappointed me.

Oct 17, 2008 at 03:42 AM

Conner999
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p.1 #15 · Leica R 100mm Macro

+1 on Doug's comments. Great bokeh and colors. WO the 60 is very good, but stopped down starting at F4 the resolution spikes skyward. By 5.6 it's uniformly outstanding across the frame. Very flare resistant and I've yet to see any CA (use it as my normal lens on my 1DS2) despite being non-APO. Shot my $100 copy (long story) against my 50/2 ZF and sold the ZF. One of the rare Leica R bargains.

Oct 17, 2008 at 11:38 AM

wkhc168
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p.1 #16 · Leica R 100mm Macro

Conner999 wrote:
+1 on Doug's comments. Great bokeh and colors. WO the 60 is very good, but stopped down starting at F4 the resolution spikes skyward. By 5.6 it's uniformly outstanding across the frame. Very flare resistant and I've yet to see any CA (use it as my normal lens on my 1DS2) despite being non-APO. Shot my $100 copy (long story) against my 50/2 ZF and sold the ZF. One of the rare Leica R bargains.

Glad to hear that it is really good. Now $100 is a STEAL! I have be searching for a late version and the best I found was the one I bought for $395. Can't wait to use it on my 5DII.

Oct 17, 2008 at 01:44 PM

kosmoskatten
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p.1 #17 · Leica R 100mm Macro

I too have the Leica R60 Macro, my battered copy is from 1973 and a sound performer.

I am torn between this lens and the Contax/Zeiss AE 60/2.8 (1:1) which I had for years. I got another one a few months ago and there is a certain look to the images that I prefer over the look I get from the Leica 60, more snappy close up. The Zeiss lens really shines up close but has to be stopped down for infinity shots or suffer from mush resolution. After getting it back I was thinking of parting with the Leica 60 but it has grown on me and for sheer versatility and size it is great.

I actually got a Leica APO Elmarit 100/2.8 too, for a very good price even, but I have had precious little time using it, the few portraits I have taken with it have been stunning (in quality) and after seeing Weekhs images here I really look forward to putting it through its paces...

Oct 18, 2008 at 08:07 AM

R10
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p.1 #18 · Leica R 100mm Macro

I also highly recommend this lens. A milestone and pleasure. Challenged (I also like the characteristics (image-as-a-whole-wise) of the 100mm CZ for instance) but unsurpassed.

Concerning IQ with extensions/extenders/Elpro, the following piece of information might be of interest. I got it directly from the Leica Infoservice in Solms, Germany, and it corresponds well with my experience:

(translated) "The AME-R 2.8/100 features a special optical design that allows for exceptional performance from close-up distances to infinity (a distinguishing mark of this design is the fixed rear lens element).
The drawback of this design is that the lens does not provide optimal performance in conjunction with extensions such as the Macro-Adapter-R or bellows. Using extensions will lead to, eg, reduced contrast and increased coma. The degradation of IQ won't be very pronounced, however. Thus, if IQ does not need to be optimal extensions are still an option.
For optimal IQ also at 1:1, we recommend the use of the dedicated AME100-Elpro or the APO-Extender-2x (with the lens stopped down one f-stop)."

Oct 18, 2008 at 10:50 AM

rachp
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p.1 #19 · Leica R 100mm Macro

Beautiful examples!! With the cost of the 1:1 adapter for the Leica, I went with the CV and am loving it. The 1:1 was really important in my decision.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/30080-REG/Leica_16545_Elpro_f_100mm_f_2_8_APO.html

Oct 19, 2008 at 01:55 AM

Grant808
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p.1 #20 · Leica R 100mm Macro

Anyone using this lens on an R-mount converted SD-14?

Oct 21, 2008 at 12:32 AM

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